LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- One year later, a family is remembering a Louisville teen killed in a crash in 2022 caused by a man police said was driving drunk.

Haley Hines was 18 years old, a graduate from Doss High School, and about to enroll on nursing school. 

"Our oldest granddaughter, and she was just getting into nursing school, just starting her life," Hines' grandfather, Charles Zelch said.

Louisville Metro Police said Eric Johnson, 45, was arrested after the two-vehicle crash and charged with murder, assault and wanton endangerment. Police said Johnson caused the crash by traveling the opposite direction on New Cut Road, near Iroquois Park and Colonial Gardens.

The night of the crash, police reported Johnson "had bloodshot eyes, and smelled strongly of an alcoholic beverage."

Wednesday, Hines' family gathered at the site of the crash. They prayed, dedicated a cross memorial and released balloons.

"Love you Haley," said her mom, Kiesha Hurst, as she released the balloons.

"We want justice for Haley," said her grandmother, Donna Zelch.

Court documents show Johnson spent a few days behind bars. He was placed on house arrest, and released for VA medical treatment, including mental health appointments, as they await trial.

Every time Hines' family comes across Johnson in the courtroom for pre-trial conferences, they leave even more brokenhearted.

"Every time we go to court, it rips open a band-aid and (we) bleed some more again," Donna Zelch said.

One year later, they're still waiting for the trial to begin, and coping with new reality.

"I can't see her babies, when she has babies, it's just hard," Hurst said.

The family also reminds each other that every second counts.

"We can all leave here and maybe none of us make it home, and it's been the same feeling," Donna Zelch said. "We can't get past that feeling that you may never know."

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